Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002) User Reviews

Heartfelt, poetic and deeply moving.

[Pedro-37 · 8/10 · 12 May 2003]

I love this film. It might further enhance the Western clichee of the uprising-ridden India as another reviewer states, but actually, that's beside the point: This film is a fairy tale. The voice over at the beginning tells of "a little red and white bus" ... and you're already in the fairy tale world. There is always danger in a fairy tale and I'll focus on that later, but criticising the film for not portraying real situations is like accusing "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" for inaccurate portrayal of lilliputians ...

The film is actually quite close to films by Mani Rathnam who also takes a politically hot topic and connects it with a personal drama (good example: "Kannathil Muthamittal"). With Rathnam, the focus always seems to shift more to the political side of this dual idea, whereas in "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer", the focus is more on the personal aspect. In this punctual uprising of extremist Hindus, the two leading characters discover how they themselves fall victim to distrust and prejudice. It seems an easy target to criticise the conservative Brahman woman's ideals, but the film doesn't do it harmful. In the end, the woman still is who she was before, but she opened up - especially opened up her heart.

And this is what the film is all about: Heart. It oozes love in so many scenes. The violence takes over for a couple of scenes, but then the film returns to the topic of love. There are incredible scenes that you won't easily forget: The "couple" in a diner telling their fictional story of their honeymoon, the fooling around in the woods in the morning, the killing of a man right in front of their window, the last night they spend together when she takes his hand to comfort herself. These are all very subtle but convincing scenes that don't primarily assault the woman's Brahman principles but tries to expand them. Again: It's a fairy tale and in this fairy tale world which is ridden by real-life violence, a woman and a man come closer - emotionally. Not with sex or a common way of love. It's a very heartfelt sort of love you don't usually see in movies. It felt extremely sincere to me - and the just cracked my heart.

"Mr. and Mrs. Iyer" is not your typical Bollywood movie because it's rather short, has no songs, no stars and is rather subtle. But it works on so many level. It is a cry for peace and unity - something Indians do so well since they live in the biggest democracy in the world. There are so many people in this country who still believe in living together and this is visible in many of their films. This is one, Mani Rathnams "Bombay" is another. Also, the film is a tribute to deeply felt and sincere love, a love that is more touching than many love stories I've seen before. I know the film is not fully realistic and of course there are a couple of problems that I have with the film. But if a film is this charmingly acted and poetically directed, I'd cannot but defend it and recommend it to you. Such a beautiful film.

Rating 8/10

A love story which is real, poetic, romantic, moving and beautiful

[Peter_Young · 9/10 · 3 April 2010]

I am at a complete loss of words after seeing this sensational love story. Directed by Aparna Sen, a true master of her craft, it is set against the backdrop of tribal war and communal violence. The story starts in a bus, in which a young westernised Muslim photographer named Raja (Rahul Bose) and a traditional married Tamil Brahmin woman with a young child named Meenakshi Iyer (Konkoka Sen Sharma), meet by chance on a cross-country bus ride to Calcutta. The bus includes varied passengers from noisy teenagers to an old Muslim couple to a mentally ill boy with his mother to card-playing men. Raja and Meena had been introduced to each other just before the trip started and they eventually sat together. When she finds out that Raja is actually a Muslim, her first reaction is "Don't touch me!". However, later the bus is suddenly stopped by Hindu extremists looking for payback for a Muslim act of violence. This is one of the film's most heartbreaking sequences. When asked, Meena introduces both Raja and herself as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, thus saving Raja's life. Upon a curfew, the two leave the bus and find shelter in a remote forest guest-house. That's where the love story begins. They initially do not get along due to differences in their views, but finally develop a liking for each other. From their first real interaction and reconciliation in the beautiful forest to the scenes in which they are forced to cook up stories of their "honeymoon" to different girls who seek for some romantic fairy tales, they get increasingly closer and ultimately fall in love. But one question really starts worrying us: what about the real Mr. Iyer?

Fascinating and engaging, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer is definitely one of the best films made in the early 2000s. It is not a film about Muslims or Hindus, it is about Raja and Meena, or better known as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. It is a love story at heart, a subtle one, an inhibited one, a poetic one, an authentic one, a heartwarming one. Never does it get sidelined by the film's basic background which is communal strife. It's amazing to see how Meenakshi gradually overcomes her prejudice and learns new things about herself and about life in general thanks to her acquaintance with the intelligent and worldly Raja. The film is beautifully shot, some locations are breathtaking, and everything--from story and direction to cinematography and editing to music and background score--is nothing short of excellent. As for the casting, I cannot see anyone else but Konkona Sen Sharma and Rahul Bose as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Bose is fantastic in a greatly restrained act, and as the carefree and kind Raja, sets a great example to all of us of how to live life with passion. Sen Sharma's preparation for the role is more than evident. She is absolutely outstanding as Meena. Everything, from her perfect Tamil accent and dialect to her mannerisms to her worried facial expressions, is so aptly displayed that there seems to be nothing more precise than to say that this incredibly talented lady is one of the finest actresses of recent times. The film's ending is deeply moving. In a few words, this film is about humanity, kindness and love. It shows us how love conquers hatred, and it shows us that humanity and love know no religion, caste or colour. This is an outstanding picture.

Superb, realistic film with a mixed message

[Oblomov-2 · 9/10 · 7 September 2003]

I disagree with the reviewer who says that this is a film made just to win awards in the West. On the contrary, one would have to be an Indian to understand the nuances throughout the film and I don't think the average Western viewer can appreciate the cultural connotations within the story. I was brought up as a South Indian Brahmin for the first 30 years of my life in an area of intense religious tension that frequently boiled over in violence. Therefore, I do not need a Yale researcher to tell me the meaning of religious intolerance or the background of Meenakshi Iyer's character. I don't think the film gives a biased view of the religious or cultural divide in India. Apart from the scene in the bus, the faith of the fanatics is kept deliberately vague so that we are not quite sure of the identities potential killers or their victims. This is sadly true in today's India where a slight misunderstanding can easily flash out of control. Until all concerned learn to tolerate and respect one another's beliefs while keeping to the appropriate boundaries, the situation is unlikely to change. And Aparna Sen makes a superb job of getting this rather ambiguous message across.

An amazing film... the screenplay and filming left me breathless.

[chandreyee_mitra · 13 January 2004]

Aparna Sen has done a wonderful job writing and directing this film. The characters are delightfully underplayed (a nice change from the common melodrama of Hindi films), and Konkona Sen-Sharma and Rahul Bose were wonderfully believable.

But best of all was the photography... a tragedy depicted by a nuance... I was touched, and cried my eyes out.

The religion and caste issues are depicted beautiful. Even the educated are often senselessly prejudiced, and likewise grace often appears in unexpected forms. A beautiful movie which I would recommend to all.

...a thought provoking and insightful film.

[aparajita · 10/10 · 18 May 2004]

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer deals with many prevalent issues existing with in India today. It is a social commentary on the class system, religious warfare and gender inequalities. The film is shot beautifully, juxtapopposing the beauty of nature against the 'uncivilised' capacity that us humans have to bestow on one another. The script is written thoughtfully setting up charged dynamics between the main characters Raja and Meenakshi.

Konkona Sen Sharma's performance is delightful with her authentic accent and mannerism of a South Indian. Rahul Bhose performance is sensual and heartfelt, portraying depth and breadth.

The wonderful thing about this film is that although it focuses on a particular situation, it illustrates issues that exist worldwide, in all walks of life, simply manifesting themselves in different situations. Meenakshi faces constrictions throughout life due to her gender, she is constricted and faces the 'glass ceiling'. She longs to be free and to live life freely as Raj does. Raj is free is every sense of the word, physically he is free to roam the world. He is also free from the psychological limitations from which Meenakshi suffers, that of class and caste bound prejudice. The religious warfare shown is a very current issue, with fundamentalism at its most notorious in years.

Definitely worth seeing. 8/10.

Its not about Hindu and Muslim

[viveck_thakur · 10/10 · 1 March 2005]

Hindu - Muslim riots in the movie is merely the backdrop. People who have commented here just see it as a yet another attempt to take advantage of western perception of India. Sorry, it seems you have completely missed the point. The point tries to make a case between love and honor. And this is India, married women do not indulge (more often that not) in to extra marital affairs. So there is dilemma in the Minds of Raj and Meenaxi. Meenaxi who reluctantly fall in for Raj and Raj who understands it but is bound by his honor. Their relation is platonic and full marks to Aparna for keeping it so because by making it controversial she could have reaped more benefits at the box office.

Well certain someone said that the act by the leads had not been put up properly. Konkana Sen Sharma got national award for her debut. People need to realize that she is a bong. Unlike west we don't not only have different dialects but entirely different languages. And the dialect is also extremely different. Which is why the performance is really really mind blowing, especially from the leads. Rahul Bose give a completely restrained performance. Aparna keeps is subtle. She is the greatest women director or may be probably the only who can carry of the subject like this. Kudos!

Movie for the well-versed

[arikde · 8/10 · 2 January 2004]

Indian movie seems to continue to come of age. Mr. & Mrs. Iyer is a refreshing departure from the plethora of Indian movies based on the identity crisis facing the Indian diaspora (please God, no more movies on ABCDs).

The background of the movie sees India at conflict with itself; this Hindu-Muslim divide providing a tense background to in effect a beautiful "love" story between two strangers. This is the movie's strenght - the politics remain in the backseat while the focus is solely on the interaction of the lead characters. Modern India of the conservative Hindu and the liberal Muslim is played out in subtle nuance filled scenes (ex, drinking from the water bottle) etc. Over the course of the movie, the characters learn to trust from each other and understand that they do need each other. The evolution of their relationship makes this movie a must-see. Aparna Sen's gentleness is very evident throughout the movie.

As an Indian, this movie can be hard to watch. I agree with some of the other posters, it celebrates violence and plays into a western cliche of religious relations in India. It fails to address the tremendous harmony thats present in a country of 1 billion people. Yet, its also a call for Indians to understand that the euphoria in a country can mask concerns of religious intolerance which Indians must face together. Perhaps a wakeup call that our democracy wich has worked so well is in danger due to vested political interests.

Breathtakingly beautiful.

[Herag · 8/10 · 16 May 2003]

Konkana SenSharma (Meenakshi Iyer) is the daughter of director of the movie-Aparna Sen. The secret to a good movie, is the story and the casting of the principal characters. She couldn't have done a better job. This is a tale of two people of different beliefs, quirks and faith, who loose their identity in a terrain terrorized by torrid communal violence. The glue that holds this film, is Konkana Sen Sharma, who allegedly spent ten days in the southern part of India (Tamil Nadu, the language being Tamil,) perfecting her accent, which is not native to her.

An occasional glance at a benevolent stranger of the opposite sex, turns into depth-full glances from the corner of the eye, a watchful glance (when he enters the room to fetch his baggage,) to lurid glances at the made up honeymoon story with the ever-inquisitive and love-bugged teenagers and ends with heartfelt tears at the railway station for a stranger, she will never see again but for the negative, which she may never develop, the memories left like a scar in an old oak tree. She conveys more with her eyes than most actresses do in their entire career. The cinematography hugs the landscape and the music embellishes it.

The direction of Aparna Sen, is sheer poetry in motion. The characters very live, like the caretaker, the Muslim couple, and the self serving and negative auntie. There is no graphic violence, but the we get the message loud and clear with the little remarks by the bus-travelers, newspaper clippings, the police (it's still under investigation.) The savage killing, that gets Meenakshi closer to Raja (Rahul Bose) only wake-up to a misplaced bhindi on her forehead, and the staring into the mirror of her misplaced or stolen values, and the bhindi stays on the mirror that seem to reflect the true endearments of the heart not the disheveled mind.

Watching this movie, is like looking at a beautiful Renoir Painting, you appreciate it more from a distance-and the more you see more you appreciate.

Indian cinema without the song and dance

[thamesmead · 7/10 · 22 March 2003]

For audiences new to Indian cinema this is a good place to start, though it proves something of a curate's egg in the end. Aparna Sen creates a recognisably real India, something rather rare in Indian cinema. The romance at the heart of the film is ultimately touching and convincing. On the downside, the film's politics are a little simplistic; there's an unintentionally hilarious 'vaseline on the lens' sequence when things turn lovey-dovey; and Rahul Bose gives a staggeringly inept performance (as do the gaggle of 'groovy' teens). Ok, it's swings and roundabouts, but a film still worth your attention.

Among the best movies

[staralam · 8/10 · 19 October 2005]

This is among the best of movies Indian cinema has produced. The plot/ storyline is powerful which is augmented by splendid performance by lead actors. It also exhibits the communal undercurrents going on in Indian society. It was a bold step to address these issues. Another aspect is the soft feelings produced among the lead actor and actress. As a contrast from the prevalent trend in Indian cinema wherein there is the notion of "love at first sight" in almost all movies, in this movie the feelings of love evolves from simple caring to a very strong one. It also exhibits the true picture of oriental society where common people just don't go on singing love songs or fighting antagonists of their love life. My best wishes to the whole crew of the movie.

3 stars (out of 4)

[mweston · 7/10 · 11 January 2003]

Mrs. Iyer and her baby son Santanam are traveling to Calcutta by bus and train. A family acquaintance named Raja is making the same trip, and he is asked to keep an eye on Mrs. Iyer. He is a nature photographer, which seems somehow appropriate since in the course of the film we see a natural beauty in India (e.g., forests and mountains) that seems rare in films.

The beginning of the film moves fairly slowly, so to say much more would reveal events that occur perhaps a third of the way through the film. If you would like an unspoiled film experience, you should probably stop reading now, although I obviously haven't said much yet.

The key fact is that Mrs. Iyer is Hindu while Raja is Muslim. We first learn this when she drinks out of a water bottle without touching it to her lips, while Raja drinks in what we in the United States would consider the "normal" manner (the subtitles helpfully clue us into this difference). When the bus is stopped by Hindus out for revenge on Muslims, Mrs. Iyer saves Raja's life by lying and saying that they are a Hindu couple.

This film has a pretty clear message about violence between Hindus and Muslims, which is not too different from violence between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, the Bosnians and Serbians, and so on throughout human history. I was glad to learn about this in what seemed like a balanced manner, and essentially without the usual Bollywood musical numbers, but the film seemed to be a bit one dimensional, without much else to recommend it.

Seen on 11/2/2002 at the 2002 Hawaii International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Maile award for best feature.

Exceptional must-see movie

[manjits · 9/10 · 20 August 2005]

An exceptional movie. Aparna Sen's choice of majority Hindu population as perpetrators of communal violence was daring, and probably killed the film's prospects at the box office,but significant. There have been innumerable instances of communal violence in India against Muslims, lower class Hindus and Sikhs, for which not a single person has spent a day behind bars. True to life, Aparna Sen's film isn't focused on the violence or the people behind those crimes. That happens. The terror is in the background, only it's effect on the protagonists is visible on screen. The main story is about the change of heart of an orthodox, highly educated, prejudiced and ignorant woman. Some of the subtle nuances would probably escape non-Indian viewers, but there are plenty of things to appreciate for all. The ending ("Goodbye Mr Iyer") would easily be among the best 10 endings I have ever seen in any movies among them Mouchette and Dead Poet's Society. In the acting department,all the cast have acted well, but special mention must be made of Konkana Sensharma for her outstanding performance. Aparna Sen's direction is outstanding, and outclasses any of Mani Ratnam's films who makes similar kind of political-personal dramas. A must see movie for all.

Here you go Mrs. Minakshi......sorry Mrs. Meenakshi :)

[barnwalsatyam · 7/10 · 28 September 2012]

Today morning, I watched the movie- Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Actually someone provoked me to watch it. As usual, I just googled it to its wiki page and IMDb. IMDb gave it 7.9 (a pretty good for Hindi movie, which is always underestimated when compared with Hollywood, in rating), which was the only enough reason to watch it. Moreover, user reviews were also telling it "a must watch movie". Also, the story line didn't seem like the typical good going Hindi movie. Therefore, I downloaded it and watched it at 04:00 AM...ya its in the morning.

Movie was all about a bus journey, where bus was carrying the people of different religions and ethnics of India. Director Aparna Sen plotted the whole story around the Jahangir (a Muslim guy) and Mrs. Minakshi Iyer (a pure Tamil Brahmin). By putting the passengers from different age group, Sen also tried to focus on generation's thought process. In fact, in movie, one very old guy was complaining on the today's dress culture by comparing it from their times that he barely saw his wife's hand on his marriage. As movie proceeds, bus got stuck in a curfew. Later passengers came to know about happening of all this curfew because of the riot going on between Hindu and Muslim. A mob of their respective religion were killing the people and burning the villages of anti- religion. In-between, Minakshi came to know Jahangir is a Muslim. Being a hypo typical Brahmin girl, she hated him first, but later saved his life saying him as her husband and tagged him with the name "Mani". If she hated him, then why she saved his life?........Answer to this question may be because Jahangir helped him before this incident or she wants someone to protect her and her child or might be because of humanity. Whatever it was, afterward this, the whole bus was knowing them as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Jahangir was shown as an open-minded person opposing to the Minakshi who was always highly concerned about the caste-ism. But, as the story proceeds, she started feeling all this caste-ism a crap and transformed herself into Jahangir's personality. Later both fall in love but don't disclose their feelings except Minakshi saying Jahangir as Mr. Iyer.

And ya one more thing- mind the pronunciation here: Its Meenakshi and not Minakshi as told by Meenakshi in the movie :)

Well, how much I liked it? ..... Answer is in the rating which I'll give it 7 out of 10. Why I gave 7 because movie was a good going and I never felt bored. Apart from this, there was something in the movie which was not ordinary. I can't exactly name it but it may be the kinda different script, unusual and undefined relationship which is itself not sure about its name. Why I deducted 3 because it didn't touch my emotion which I generally expect from movie or may be I overestimated it before watching it.

A movie made only to portray incorrect image of India to win awards in the western countries

[Pankaj-3 · 2/10 · 26 April 2003]

This movie is a typical westernized portrayal of India without any deep concern for the reality on the ground.

To really understand the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India, one must read the book "Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life", published by Yale University, written by Prof Ashutosh Varshneya. The fact of the matter is that 98% of India's population has always been a riot-free society throughout the history of India. It is only a handful of cities where there was a prior colonial roots of Hindu Muslim conflicts, that keep giving rise to fresh riots.

This movie does little to portray the truth and exoticizes riots to win accolades in the west. And it succeeds in that. Several instances in the movie show that: close-up on casteist headline from the news-paper, Hindu rioters being highlighted as goons, ridiculing the vegetarianism and conservative attitude of Tamil Brahmins etc.

Intriguing Journey

[AvinashPatalay · 7 December 2004]

Meenakshi Iyer is traveling on a bus with her son Santanam and befriends a fellow passenger Raja, a wild-life photographer. When fundamentalists attack the bus, she claims the photographer as her husband thus saving his life. Reason: Raja is Muslim. What follows later is a compelling journey into human relationship under critical circumstances.

Rahul Bose yet again delivers fantastic performance. Bhisham Sahni and Surekha Sikri played the old Muslim couple in the bus. It was great to see Bhisham Sahni after a long sabbatical.

Finally about Konkona Sen Sharma - to be frank, I was a bit skeptical about the gifted director Aparna Sen's daughter. To me the star-kids are pampered lot and fail to rise above the talent of parents. Noteworthy performance of Konkona Sen Sharma as a orthodox Tamil Brahmin house-wife leaves you mesmerized. The finer nuances right from her accent, language, mannerism, dress, bindi has been portrayed with utmost perfection. The parallel cinema can now rest as we have an apt successor to Shabana Azmi.

A very different story devoid of the usual Bollywood masala but made with sheer conviction that makes the audience captivated into the storyline. Worth commending is the directors ability to extract the best out of the principal cast.

Undoubtedly a launch vehicle from Aparna Sen showcasing her daughters talent - and it hits the bull's eye.

Message in a Bottle

[dbanati · 10/10 · 2 February 2003]

The movie starts in picturesque Darjeeling (Bengal, India) where Meenakshi Iyer( Mrs. Iyer) is setting out with her one year old son Santanam on a bus ride to the nearest railway station and from then on a train ride to Calcutta.This is also where she meets Raja who promises her parents to see her through to Calcutta. The bus represents a unique picture of India both in terms of regions but also age groups and mindsets.On their way to the station they run into a communal riot(Hindus and Muslims) and 3 days of curfew and Raja who is a Muslim is saved by Mrs.Iyer who declared him as Mr. Iyer.

The movie addresses a whole spectrum of issues from communal violence, to caste issues and to a certain extent public apathy. Mrs Iyer is an Iyengar Brahmin , 100% vegetarian and will eat food cooked from "known sources" only. Inspite of her education, a Masters in Physics, she is first shocked by the fact that Raja is a Muslim and runs away from him until better sense prevails later!. An old Muslim couple is found in the bus and taken away by the mob and no one bothers to inquire about them and all the police say is that they are inquiring. Fellow bus passengers address Muslims as terrorists and perpetrators of violence

Rahul Bose(Raja) is at his best, I would say playing himself..the easy going wildlife photographer who prefers to deal with issues with his camera. But the find of the year is Konkona Sen(Mrs Meenakshi Iyer) who pulls through her role with such finesse that its hard to believe that its her first Hindi/English movie. She has perfected the Tamil Brahmin accent write down to the last T. She moved effortlessly between this naive, innocent sheltered wife in the first half to being more vocal and open about her affections for Raja in the latter part of the movie.

Full marks to the director of the movie for her very sensitive potrayal of the violence and this lovely caring between Raja and Meenakshi in the middle of it all.

Oh! did i say somewhere that the movie is a MUST WATCH ?

a beautiful and moving tale

[arvindcaulagi · 9/10 · 6 January 2008]

When Mr. and Mrs. iyer released in 2002 it somehow just failed to generate any interest in me. Thought of it as just one of those other Indian English films, made by some foolish director. Saw bits and pieces of it, and completely forgot about it.Until two years ago, when they showed it on some vague channel(which ceased to exist). I just had to watch it. I remember being glued to the television watching the movie late into the night, in spite of the annoying ads which appeared every five minutes.I would have seen the film at least another 3-4 times, and till date it remains one my favorite Indian films.

Watching the movie times and over, I've always discovered something new in it. Like the second time I saw it, I was completely bowled over by Konkona Sensharma's stellar performance.Or certain little nuances in the film...Everything is so intricately woven into one another. Or even the saying by the poet, which appears in the beginning of the film, which I was quite ignorant about, till recent, thinking it was just pretentious,and wanted to sound profound.

At heart, the film is just a love story.Two people on a bus journey, falling in love during times of violence.Every scene in the film is underlined with some form of religious-political element, which sometime seems a little over-done.Maybe, it was meant to be an undertone, but somehow just sticks out.For that matter, even some of the English dialogues, they just don't sound natural.Very theatrical.But otherwise, the film is brilliant.Rahul Bose gives a very restrained and understated performance as the liberal Muslim wildlife photographer.Some really good acting by the supporting cast as well, especially Bhisham Sahani and Surekha Sikri, as the old Muslim couple. Has so many layers to it, only seen or noticed after multiple viewings.Goutham Ghose captures the Himalayan foothills,with his beautiful photography. Zakhir Hussain's music just flows with the film.For the kind of issue it addresses, Mr. and Mrs. iyer will be relevant any given day.

Ray of Hope (8 out of 10)

[rajeshkumargupta · 8/10 · 20 March 2003]

***MILD SPOILERS*** The plot is based on the riots between Hindus And Muslims. But what makes this movie excellent is its depiction of the fact that when it comes to two human beings there are other things which are much more important than the religious differences, and discrimination. It shows that religious conflicts are not basic human nature but its something which our society grows into itself over the time. two lead charaters here are from different religions, but while their time together they finally defy the religious defferences. That I think is the basic human nature, not the nature shown by the event where Hindu extremists pull out the elderly Muslim couple out of the Bus and slauters them. Thats not the basic human nature.

Follwing Few parts in the movie I will remeber for a long time.

• The moment she realizes that he is a Muslim, her first reaction was "Oh God, I drank water from his bottle", despite he was so helpfull to her during the journey

• In the Bus the Jewish guy discloses the presence of a Muslim couple to the extremists, not because he hated Muslims, but only to save his own life.

• The scene filmed in almost absolute dark in the Guest House in the forest where two lead character are talking to each other. Though you dont see much in those shots, Its such a nice sequence that you feel drawn into the scene yourself.

• When pretending to be man and wife in front of other young passengers of the bus they describe their Honeymoon experience, which never took place

• When he goes to get some Coffe for her at a Train station, She says to her child, "He left us", but soon he turns up with the coffe and sits beside her, and she puts her head on his shoulder.

• At the final train destination when he is leaving, and she standing behind watching him, perhaps wanting him not to go. And he turns back and hands over the film from his camera to her

Languid romance amidst raging violence...

[HeadleyLamarr · 9/10 · 4 December 2007]

Meenakshi Iyer (Konkona Sen Sharma) sets out on a bus journey to Calcutta with her one year old boy, Santhanam. Her parents ask a fellow bus passenger, a slight acquaintance by the name of Raja (Rahul Bose), to help her along the way. The bus is like a minute microcosm of India with all the various types you can imagine, there are the singing youngsters, the slow boy and his mother, the disapproving old maid, the card playing men, the Muslims, Sikhs, Jews. The journey of the bus is rudely interrupted when the occupants are stopped and told of a communal riot in the neighborhood where a Hindu was killed and now the Hindus are out for Muslim blood. Meenakshi finds out that Raja is actually Jehangir Choudhary and a Muslim. A series of traumatic events follow and when asked she introduces the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. The "Iyers" have to sojourn in a small town while there is a curfew on and find shelter in an almost abandoned rest house. There is a palpable attraction that grows between them and a level of comfort too, but eventually in a very Wong Kar Wai fashion, Mrs. Iyer is handed over to the real Mr. Iyer at Calcutta station.

The film is no doubt a statement on all the communal violence that has become part of our country's history, but is also an ode to humanity and to man helping man. There is an uplifting message and the sense that out of darkness light can emerge. Aparna Sen is a master at her craft and the film is excellent in story, direction, cinematography, acting. But what I commend most is the way she has captured the lead pair. Rahul Bose never looked so endearing and heart-stoppingly good, and Ms. Sen Sharma is imbued with a lush and sultry beauty throughout. Add this to the fact that they do the finest job with their roles and you have a beautiful film. Rahul plays the secular, unfailingly polite, intelligent Muslim man very well, and Konkona never misses a beat with her Southie English accent! There is a conflict at a whole another level that makes this an intriguing film - the lead pair are obviously made for each other and very attracted to each other (maybe in a sort of Stockholm syndrome way, as they are fellow sufferers), and you feel their pain at the parting, and weep inside just a tiny bit for them, but then life gets back on track again and what cannot be is forgotten.

The music is divine and this film is a certain keeper.

Short Review

[dubesor · 7/10 · 1 October 2003]

I thought this movie explored very important themes, but it came up very short in terms of acting. Furthermore, the choice of music was quite poor. Aside from these points, the film was pleasant. Overall, it is only slightly above average.

Brilliant Movie

[abhaduri · 9/10 · 10 August 2003]

I am a Hindu, but I completely believe this movie, people trying to say that this is untrue, should open their eyes. These extremists are all around, and what are you people doing besides saying that these are isolated incidents. Muslims in India have to live with this constant fear of isolated incidents. Do or say something besides ridiculing a movie which shows the truth. I terms of the caste system, it is worth ridicule and more. If I had made the movie I would have made much more fun and mockery of believers in TamBraham and the caste system. The movie is a brillian, moving and emotional masterpiece that should act as an educating mechanism to bring the country together.

sincere effort

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 25 February 2016]

Various passengers from various backgrounds are on a bus to Calcutta. Raja Chowdhury is asked to look after Meenakshi Iyer and her baby son. Other passengers include a bunch of loud young people, two Sikh men, an elderly Muslim couple, a couple making out, a woman and her mentally-handicap son, and some men playing cards. There is religious strife in the country. The bus encounters a closed road. The driver takes a detour and ends up at a roadblock with other vehicles. There has been attacks and a Hindu mob descends on the religiously mix group.

It's a post-9/11 melodrama about race relations in India. It's a little heavy-handed and a bit too long. That does subtract from the intensity. The group on the bus is deliberately random and carefully selected. I do give everyone involved full marks for the sincere effort. The newly formed couple is pretty effective.

Do Aparna Sen and Lina Wertmuller share plot theme?

[spamslayer · 10/10 · 14 February 2006]

This review is intended to be read After seeing the movie, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer or Swept Away, as it contains soem spoilers necessary for comparisons of both movies.

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer is simply a great movie on many levels. However, when the movie ended, I immediately went to IMDb to see if others saw the great similarities between MR. and Mrs. Iyer and Lina Wertmuller's Italian classic "Swept Away... by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August (1974)". Am I the only one to see the strong similarities between the two movies? Incidentally, Madonna's Husband (Guy Ritchie) was so enamored with the original Swept Away that he redid the movie in 2002. But be sure and watch the original Italian film if you want to compare it to Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. It's also interesting that both women, Aparna Sen and Wertmuller, were in their 50's when they made these movies (they are much further apart in actual age however).

(Spoiler) In both movies, the audience watches as fate brings two potential lovers together. But the lovers, without the series of fateful events, would not be allowed to be together in their native cultures under normal circumstance. In both movies, only the audience understands the special circumstances that allow them to be together. And thus the audience gives them permission to be lovers or in Iyers case almost lovers. The audience is soon jolted with a shock ending however after hoping for some miracle. Both movies end with the clear message that society's imprint is dominating and at least one of the lovers will reluctantly march in tune with their original lot in society. In particular the train scene in Iyer is almost identical to the dock scene in Swept Away. (There is a Hungarian film, Bizalom (Confidence) (1980) that also has the Swept Away theme to a lesser degree. Sadly, it currently is not available for home viewing. Fate is WWII in that movie.)

I don't point this similarity out as anything the takes away from either movie. Instead, I think Iyer reveals the genius behind Wertmuller's device of using fate as well as the relationship between men and women to show case a given culture's intricacies. Despite the underlying affair theme, these are not intended to be love stories as such. In Swept Away the focus is on social and political "casts" and in Iyer its actual casts and subcultures. They are movies that reveal the cultures they examine by way of the relationship between men and women. In Swept Away there was an even stronger sub theme of what would happen if there was no culture at all.

If Aparna Sen was aware of Wertmuller's Swept Away, then I think it was genius on her part to realize that complex Indian culture would work even better with Wertmuller's plot device and would kick it up a notch, as they say. I don't think it's an accident that the movie opens with her explaining how complex Indian culture is to outsiders. (I also note this is the first movie I've seen with a note to the readers in the subtitle's explaining certain cultural customs.)

If you like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, I strongly recommend you see the 1974 Swept Away and draw your own conclusions. The movies are certainly not identical in detail, only in overall plot structure, so you can experience the movies on their own.

The possible homage aside, I loved the movie and think it should be re-released in full DVD format. By that I mean the DVD suffers from two common flaws with DVDs not produced with possible true widescreen viewing in mind. 1) They give you the worst of the best which is the widescreen format WITHIN a standard NTSC TV (4:3) format. That means the great cinematographic quality is even more compromised than if they just gave you standard TV format. You do however get to see the whole width of the original film 2) If you are going to do English subtitles for some of the DVD, do it for all the DVD even the English. Not only do you cover the hearing impaired that way but with heavy accents and names for things much of the English is not easy to understand. 3) The chapter and timing doesn't follow international standards but currently follows standards of India.

It's often said a movie should transport you to another time and place. This movie did that. It's difficult to reveal all the intricacies of any culture in a standard movie time frame but this movie apparently comes close.

Along that line, I also think an important supplement to the movie are the reviews posted here that explain the depictions of the culture found in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer as well as such things as the mother daughter relationship between Aparna Sen and the leading women.

Story is good, but some intentions of the director is false

[muthuswamy-1 · 5/10 · 15 October 2005]

First, let me congratulate the director for making an wonderful movie. The actors had done an excellent job and the story is really gripping. The scenes are real (as I have personally experienced the tensed bus journey during cast riots in Tamil nadu). Rahul Bose as Raja (modern Muslim) is superb while the mannerisms of konkana Sen as Meenakshi Iyer is perfect with a typical Tamil brahmin lingo. As a movie it is 9/10 (Few glitches with over acting of some supporting actors and exceptional privilege extended by the police officer to Raja and Meenakshi by giving a resort is not explained well).

Let me come to the characterization of the caste. I came to know through directors interview that she choose to highlight Iyer caste as a model of the most conservative society every existed in the world. In democracy it is very much allowed. But what pained me was the explanation given to that. She feels that the society is not to open for modernization. What do you mean by modernization. When konkana sen in real life puffs cigarette and drinks alcohol, is that what she wants every Indian to do? In that case I believe that Iyer community being closed is worthy as science says smoking and drinking is not good. Every Hindu knows that compassion is the core aspect of life. At the same time he also knows the highest aspect of compassion is obtained by extending it even to animals. Now-a-days meat eating is considered as a modern way of life. If such is the compassion (partial and selfish) which aparanji expects in the modern world, then better I am ready to be enclosed in to the Iyer community as it gives an opportunity to be more compassionate even to animals. In democratic society every one has their own way of life. Vedanta (Hindu holy text) emphasis that excellent personality can be achieved by practicing strict spiritual discipline including focusing the food and hygiene. Drinking water from a bottle with out touching the mouth is more hygienic that sipping it. Why do you portray it as a cast issue? If Raja does it, it shows his ignorance but it has nothing to do with his Muslim life. To my knowledge brahmins prefer the orthodoxy in their home only. Certainly none of its members does it in the modern life like regretting drinking water from the bottle of Muslim. I am sorry to say that how primitive and selfish the motive of the director to sell the picture she ridiculed the homely observations (spiritual development) of Tamil iyers. Being a Tamil Iyer, even my own mom will not drink water from me during her spiritual practice. Let me clarify that it has nothing to do with caste but it has to do with spiritual and religious reasons. I know many Muslims and Christians will not eat food offered to Hindu god. I understand that it may not be acceptable to their spiritual practice. But i don't criticize it.

Some times I wonder why people of India is not making good cinema focusing on positive points (like Guide of R.K.Narayan) of Indian thoughts. Why people stoop so low to sell useless qualities of Indian life like violence and en cashing the human sentiments like portraying a Jew in a bad light. Aparnaji can concentrate little bit on Swami Vivekananda's teaching little bit (by visiting belur math) and make a movie with full of positive thoughts like "Come lions Cheer up, Shed away the delusion that you are a sheep")

cinematography alone merits praise

[rgoelmd · 9/10 · 31 December 2003]

Although the exploration of religious violence in this film was a little smug, the dp deserves special mention. All of the shots were very well crafted. Imaginative perspectives and crisp composition along with creative lighting all contributed to a series of beautiful images.